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Hepatic and Renal Histological Alterations Induced by Topical Hydroquinone Administration

Problem statement: Although the regulatory agencies of the United States and Europe banned hydroquinone in cosmetics skin lightening but it is still used in most of Middle East countries, including Saudi Arabia. Few studies were carried out on the histological alterations of hydroquinone on kidney and liver. Approach: The present study was carried out to investigate the histological alterations in liver and kidney caused by hydroquinone topical administration. Results: The induced histological alterations in the liver were mainly hydropic degeneration, bile duct hyperplasia and glycogen depletion. The kidney of treated rabbits showed hydropic degeneration, hyaline casts, congestion, perivascular edema and fibrosis together with lymphocytic aggregation. The skin showed hyperkeratosis, lymphocytic and eosinophilic infiltration together with congestion of dermal blood vessels. Conclusion: Taken together, the histological findings of this study indicate that chronic exposure to hydroquinone produce significant histological alterations that might affect the liver and kidney.

Periodic Validation of High Antidiabetic Potentials of Unripe Plantain in Comparison with Glibenclamide and Fansidar

Problem statement: The antidiabetic potentials of aqueous extract of musa paradisciaca (unripe plantain fruit) were investigated in alloxan induced diabetic rats. The extract at a dosage of 120 mg kg^-1 produced a significant (p<0.001) reduction in glucose level by 85% on day 7, 78% on day 14, 64% on day 21 and 44% on day 28. Approach: The extract at the dosage of 80 mg kg^-1 produced a significant (p<0.01) reduction in glucose concentration by 86% on day 7, 79% on day 14 64%, day 21 and 458% on day 28. With 40 mg kg^-1 glucose level was 83% on day 7, 75% on day 14, 68%, day 21 and 58, 64% on day 21 and 58% on day 28. Results: Fansidar at the calculated average animal dosage 9-22.5 mg kg^-1 from that of man produced a significant (p<0.01) reduction in glucose concentration by 81% on day 7 71% on day 14, 58% on day 21 and on day 28 a shooting to 111%. Comparing the fasting blood glucose levels of extract and fansidar with known antidiabetic drug; Gliben clamide of 6.75 mg kg^-1 had the following on day 7; it was 96, 86% on day 14, 45% on day 21 and 81% on day 28. Conclusion: It is concluded that extract of unripe plantain fruit showed high antidiabetic properties than glibenclamide a known potent antidiabetic drug and fansidar is also demonstrated a good degree of antidabetic potentials.

Exploration of Preliminary Phytochemical Studies of Seed of syzygium cumini

Problem statement: The investigation for possible Preliminary Pharmacognostical and phytochemical activity of seeds of Syzygium cumini were performed to lay down the standards which could be useful in future experimental studies. Approach: The study includes macroscopy, microscopy, preliminary phytochemical screening and physicochemical evaluation of seeds of Syzygium cumini. Results: The results were discussed for both the extracts in terms of microscopy, macroscopy, phytochemical analysis. Conclusion: The present study provides a scientific rationale for the traditional use of seeds of Syzygium cumini in the management of wounds.

Evaluation of Hyypoglycemic and Hypolipidemic Activity of Nyctanthes Arbortristis Linn against Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

Problem statement: The present study was aimed to explore the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity of Nyctanthes arbortristis linn roots against Streptozotocin (STZ) induced experimental rats. Approach: Ethanolic extract of roots of Nyctanthes arbortristis was administered to streptozotocin induced rats.Glibenclamide was used as a standard drug. Blood glucose levels were determined after oral administration of a dose of Nyctanthes arbortristis (200 mg kg^-1 b.wt) in diabetic groups. Blood glucose levels were determined on 0, 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th day after oral administration of ethanolic extracts of Nyctanthes arbortristis (200 mg kg^-1). Results: An ethanolic extract of Nyctanthes arbortristis was found to reduce blood sugar in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Reduction in blood sugar could be seen from 7th day after continuous administration of the extract. The effect of extracts of Nyctanthes arbortristis on serum lipid profile like Total Cholesterol, triglycerides, low density, very low density and high density lipoprotein were also measured in the diabetic and non diabetic rats. There was significant reduction in Total Cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol and improvement in HDL cholesterol in diabetic rats. Conclusion: We concluded that Nyctanthes arbortristis possesses a hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effect.

Vitamin C Alleviates Chronic Chlorpyrifos Induced Alterations in Serum Lipids and Oxidative Parameters in Male Wistar Rats

Problem statement: Although the increase incidence of cardiovascular diseases, obesity and diabetes mellitus has been attributed to changing life style, the role of environmental contaminants is currently being given considerable attention. Pesticides, including Organophosphate (OP) insecticides are one of the most pervasive environmental contaminants that are deliberately released into the environment. Chlorpyrifos (CPF), a widely used OP insecticide has been shown to alter lipid profiles, thereby increasing the risk of atherosclerosis. Apart from inhibition of acetyl cholinesterase, oxidative stress is one of the molecular mechanisms involved in CPF-evoked toxicity. Approach: The present study was aimed at evaluating the mitigating effect of vitamin C on chronic CPF-evoked alteration in lipid profiles in Wistar rats. Twenty young adult male Wistar rats were assigned at random to four groups of five rats each. Groups I, II and III were administered S/oil (2 mL kg^-1), vitamin C (100 mg kg^-1) and CPF (10.6 mg kg^-1∼1/8th LD₅₀), respectively while group IV was given vitamin C (100 mg kg^-1) followed by CPF (10.6 mg kg^-1), 30 min later. The regimens were administered by gavage once daily for 17 weeks. The sera obtained from blood samples were evaluated for the levels of Cholesterol (TC), Triglycerides (TG), High Density Lipoproteins-Cholesterol (HDL-c), Malonaldehyde (MDA) and the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase. The levels of low Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (LDL-c) and Very Low Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (VLDL-c) and atherogenic index, were subsequently calculated. Results: The increased levels of TC, LDL-c, MDA and atherogenic index and the decrease in the levels of TG, HDL-c, VLDL-c, SOD and CAT evoked by CPF were mitigated by vitamin C. Conclusion: It is concluded that vitamin C alleviated the CPF induced deleterious alterations of lipid profiles, partly due to its antioxidant property.

Antimicrobial and Wound Healing Potentials of Vitis Vitigenia Leaves

Problem statement: The investigation for possible antimicrobial and wound healing activity of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of V. Vitigenia L. leaves were performed. The antimicrobial activity of extract was studied against the 8 bacterial and 2 fungal strains using agar cup plate method. Approach: The wound healing effect of both the extract of V. Vitigenia L. leaves were evaluated by incision and excision model in rats. The incision model was assessed by the breaking strength and excision model by % wound contraction and period of Epithelialization. Results: The results showed that both the extracts exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against all the tested microorganisms and have significant wound healing activity as evident from the breaking strength; % wound contraction and period of epithelialization. Conclusion: Therefore, the present study provides a scientific rationale for the traditional use of V. Vitigenia L. in the management of wounds.

Prenatal Exposure to Chronic Ethanol on N Methyl D Aspartate Receptor Distribution

Problem statement: Effect of chronic exposure to ethanol on NR1 subunit of the NMDA receptor distribution in chick embryo brain chronic ethanol intake leads to the development of dependence on and tolerance to ethanol in both human and animals. The glutamate system plays a major role in mediating ethanol effects on brain and behavior. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether chronic ethanol exposure altered NR1 subunit of N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) receptor distribution in the developing chick brain on 10 and 15th day of egg incubation. Approach: Forty fertilized eggs divided in 2 groups, control and chronic. In the chronic group the eggs were chronically exposed to ethanol 10% during 15 day of embryonic period. Immunohistochemical procedure was used for NR1 subunit of NMDA receptor distribution determination. Image analyzer program were used for color analyzing of immunohistochemistry slides. Data were analyzed statistically by Student T test. The level of significance was assumed to be (p<0.05. Results: Immunohistological finding of these experiments indicated that chronic exposure to ethanol significantly (p<0.05) decreased density of NR1 subunit of NMDA receptors in cerebral cortex of chick brain on 10 and 15th day of embryonic stage. But the number of immunolable cell per mm2 of cerebral cortex did not show any difference. Conclusion/Recommendation: Our results indicated that chronic exposure to ethanol decreased NR1 subunit of NMDA receptor distribution in cerebral cortex of chick embryo on 10 and 15th day of embryonic stage. But did not have any effect on number of immunolable cell per mm2 of cerebral cortex.

Electroanalytical Determination of Doripenem using a Screen-Printed Electrode

Problem statement: The performance characteristics of Sensitive Screen-Printed (SPE) and Carbon Paste (CPE) electrodes were investigated for the Determination of Doripenem (DP) in pure, pharmaceutical preparations and biological fluids. Approach: The proposed electrodes is characterized in terms of plasticizer type, response time, pH and temperature. Results: The two electrodes showed nearly Nernstian behaviours over the concentration range of 2�10⁻⁴-5�10⁻² mol/l of the drug with slopes of 58 and 57 mV/decade for SPE and CPE electrodes, respectively. The electrodes exhibited good selectivity for DP with respect to a large number of inorganic cations and organic substances present in the biological fluids. The method was precise, as shown by the mean recoveries of 99.49-100 and 98.49-99.49% with mean relative standard deviations 0.38-0.78 and 0.60-0.90% for SPE and CPE electrodes, respectively. Conclusion: Doripenem was determined successfully in pure solutions, in vials or in biological fluids using the standard addition and potentiometric titration methods.

Microtia After Ovulation Induction with Letrozole

Problem statement: Letrozole gained lots of interest over the past decayed as a medication for ovulation induction to achieve monofollicular results, although few retrospective analysis of congenital anolamalies detected for babies who were conceived via this medication; the dispute still exist and the need for large multicenter studies are needed to resolve this issue. Approach: In the current report; we report a case of microtia who was conceived as a result of ovulation induction with letrozole. Results: This case draws our attention to the safety of letrozole as an ovulation induction medication. Conclusion: The reported case here mandates that babies delivered as a consequence of ovulation induction with aromatase inhibitors should be examined antenatal and postnatally for possible congenital anomalies and to be reported to settle the argument weather theses medications are safe or not in term of ovulation induction.

Interaction of Aqueous Extract of Trigonella Foenum-Graecum Seeds with Glibenclamide in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

Problem statement: Interaction between herbs and drugs may increase or decrease the pharmacological or toxicological effects of either component. Herb traditionally used to decrease glucose concentrations in diabetes could theoretically precipitate hypoglycaemia if taken in combination with conventional drugs. Approach: The present study was undertaken to determine the interaction of Glibenclamide, a Sulphonylurea with Trigonella foenum-graecum seed extract, an herbal drug widely used as a antidiabetic agent. The pharmacodynamic interaction was evaluated in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Glibenclamide was given orally in two different doses of 0.25 and 0.50 mg kg^-1. Trigonella seed extract was administered at a dose of 20 mL kg^-1. The blood glucose estimation was carried out. Results: Both glibenclamide and Trigonella seed extract showed hypoglycemic effect. The hypoglycemic effect observed with combination of glibenclamide and Trigonella seed extract was significantly more than either of drug given alone. Conclusion: It is concluded that Trigonella seed extract shows synergistic effect with glibenclamide. This could be important in reducing the dose of glibenclamide to achieve enhanced therapeutic effect with minimum adverse effect.